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MUNCIE, Ind. The Muncie Redevelopment Commission agreed Thursday to fund a study to determine the viability of building a hotel on the east side of Muncie.

Mayor Dan Ridenour reported to commission that a developer has expressed interest in bringing a new inn to the city and Ridenour said he would like to see it builtto the east, likely along Ind. 32.

The mayor noted the developingPure Energy Park, the newCardinal Greenway Kitselman Trailhead, the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the Delaware County Country Club would all argue for a "$2 million hotel on the east side."

Ridenour told The Star Press that the study, which should cost less than $20,000, would help determine where a hotel should located either closer to the trailhead or near the Muncie Bypass at Ind. 32.

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The MRC agreed unanimously to fund the feasibilitystudy with MRC President Jeffrey Howe noting the information could be used to bring in other developers if the current prospect doesn't pan out.

In other business, Ridenour also updated the commission on plans to redevelop Columbus Avenue in the McKinley Neighborhood, starting with the intersection with Walnut Street.

He said the city would issue a request for proposals to improve the intersection with new landscaping as plan continue to move ahead to relocate the Muncie YMCA near Muncie Central High School.

Columbus now goes into the school campus running from the area ofCardinal Greenway a few blocks to the east of the intersection, which has a stoplight.

Ridenour said the city has been talking with the McKinley Neighborhood Association about changes they would like to see in the neighborhood. Preliminary plans call for new landscaping along Columbus Avenue with Townhouse apartments. The city owns much of the property along the avenue, he said.

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"There are exciting changes coming to that neighborhood," said commission member Shareen Wagley, who is also a part of the group looking apossibilities along Columbus Avenue east to a park-like area near the Greenway.

Ridenour said the neighborhood was an Opportunity Zone, which provides tax incentives for developers who might be looking at building new housing in the area. The city already owns a lot of the property along the avenue.

He said that the city has attracted 18 people interested in moving to Muncie through its efforts with thecompany MakeMyMoveto recruit at-home workers through internet marketing and he was concerned about finding housing for them.

The MRC also agreed to a property swap in the end of downtowninvolving a parking lot owned by The Lofts at Roberts, to the southeast of that property, and a parking lot owned by the city, directly south of the Roberts property.

The even swap will provide more parking spots for the city near Canan Commons along Walnut Street and close to a soon-to-be-opened restaurant in the Courtyard by Marriott. The Roberts would gain parking for its tenants closer to the building.

David Penticuff is the local government reporter at the Star Press. Contact him at dpenticuff@gannett.com.

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City working to bring new hotel to eastside of Muncie - The Star Press